The Great Migration often referred to as Greatest Show on earth, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and greatest natural wonder for our planet. It is one of the most celebrated experiences where massive herds of animals across East Africa participate in an annual migration. The event looks straight out of a show from Animal Planet or National Geographic channel and spectators generally expect scenes where herd moves together or get taken down by predators. But Great Migration is much more than an epic grand scene. This emotional experience cannot be truly captured in images or videos. Many times, personally speaking I missed to press the shutter and got frozen in the moment.

The incredible expedition or long trek starts from Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park and ends at Kenya’s most important Reserve, the Masai Mara National park.The journey involves millions of wildebeest, thousands of zebras, gazells, antelopes and topis, migrating together in the Serengeti-Mara Ecosystem.

We started early hoping to catch action with our friend Joseph. Joseph greeted us for Masai Mara National park Sekenani entry gate 2 days back, when we came from Naivasha. Within few minutes we became friends. Joseph wears traditional Masai “Kanga”, which means ‘wrap’ in Swahili. He carries Masai Machete & Kungu. Yet he speaks great English and completed formal education and we found him quite knowledgeable. That day he drove us almost 2 hours covering Masai Mara National reserve Sekenani-Talek gates and we were deep inside at heart of Mara triangle.

To catch the action near Marariver , we initially crosses Olare Orok and the usual grassland. There were plenty herds of differentanimals and we had to stop our safari cruiser every now and then. After a while we countered the Mara Jumbo Elephant. The elephants in Mara are comparatively smallerthan their Amboseli cousins.

We carried packed breakfast everyday from our Olgatuni camp. The breakfast was generally sumptuous. We found a small shed under the famous Acacia tree and took a break.

As we started our journey towards Mara river we encountered a Common Eland. This antelope of not very common to find unlike it’s name.

As the temperature stared to pick up and shadows becoming rarer occasional trees are treat to watch. And more so, when you discover each tree helps someone in the animal kingdom. It’s a slender-billed vulture guarding the nest.

If not the predators, similar scavengers are nearby. These hyenas keep an eye on every possible opportunity.

We were bit tired but Joesph was ever energetic as ever throughout. He spotted few vehicle very far away and askedmeto check on binocular. And Bingo! I almost screamed and the tiredness vanished. It’s a leopard on tree and not our very well known Bahati as were very far from our camp. As we approached we realized there’s two. Mother resting below the tree and the cub was on the top.

We approached further and could see remains of kill hanging on tree branches. The cub just finished its meal with mother.

It came down and did cuddling with mother.

After a brief show both of them went back to the tree top and I thanked God for the opportunity to witness this on eyes and all praise to Joseph a well for the spotting.

Moving on we followed a large herd of wildebeest and there is river nearby, though not big like the Mara River. However, it seemed like fortune was with us. Initially they did a small halt probably gauging the situation whether any looming danger is ahead. They fear the crocodiles and hippos most while approaching any river. In this case, no red flag raised and the group leader sounded a green signal. It seemed like I was watching a movie on the set itself.

Once I felt the river crossing would not end for the day but another herd of wildebeest did stop and continued grazing on the other side and did not cross the river. Sensing a bit of halt we finished our packed Bush Lunch.

a Serval Cat on prowl in her territory

Joseph drove through the grassland for a while and we spotted a cheetah resting. But he was keeping a close eye on his brother’s meal.

They took some time to finish off their lunch.

A Thompson’s Gazelle, probably counting his days

We started our return as we travelled very far and it was a full day safari. However, there’s surprise at every moment when we glimpsed this Secretary Bird.

Near to our camp we heard a huge roar from lion and found a pride in a relaxed mood.

But not the boisterous cubs were. They were very playful but stopped for a while hearing sound of shutter. I guess they are not new to it.

Until the next dawn let’s embrace the dusk and call it a day!

About Subhajit Chaudhuri:

Subhajit Chaudhuri is an eminent trekker, my university senior & a great friend who loves experimental traveling. He is a full time Engineer by profession from Kolkata.